POLOKWANE – A 28-year-old man accused of statutory rape appeared in Seshego Magistrates Court yesterday, December 30.

The accused is alleged to be the father of a child born to a 13-year-old girl on Christmas Day at Seshego Hospital.

The case has been postponed to January 8, 2025, for further profiling of the suspect and possible bail application.

Read more: Man arrested for statutory rape after Seshego teen (13) gives birth

Deputy Minister Polly Boshielo, accompanied by MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Violet Mathye, MEC for Health, Dieketseng Mashego, and Capricorn District Executive Mayor, Councillor Mamedupi Teffo, attended the court hearing.

They demonstrated their commitment to supporting the victim and her family while government has dispatched social workers to provide psycho-social support.

Boshielo emphasised the need to protect children and vulnerable members of society and says that the South African Schools Act was amended through the BELA Act to enable anyone who witnesses a child under the age of 16 pregnant, including parents, to report the matter to the police and open a case docket.

“The scourge of teenage pregnancy is alarming in our country,” Boshielo said. “For the financial year 2023/2024, 29,150 GBVF perpetrators were arrested, with 556 handed down life sentences.”

She instructed SAPS in Limpopo to implement a programme addressing these social issues, particularly in Seshego and Matlala policing areas.

Boshielo further confirmed that 30 teenagers gave birth on Christmas Day, and a team of investigators is tracking down perpetrators. This in hopes of sending a message that those preying on young girls will face the full consequences of the law.

Police investigations are ongoing.